#thyroid diabetes arthritis back pain blood pressure hormone related diseases

[palsaa]

People have to take ingredients of grains, fruits, vegetables, low fat or fat free dairy. But its quantity varies especially with men or women. One should always try to keep nutritious food or work.

[aphrodite-vvitch]

Crystals!

The following will be correspondences for easy-to-come-by crystals. I will be listing healing and magickal correlations. The healing correlations are both physical and metaphysical, and I will also be listing some of the properties these stones have under the healing section as well.

·Quartz: In Magick- To retain information, amplify other stones, transmit ideas and energy, programming other crystals, psychic awareness, and to substitute for any other stone when charged with different intent.                                        In Healing- For energy enhancement, enhancing muscle tissue, cleansing and enhancing the organs, protecting against radiation, immune system, bringing the body into balance, soothing burns, multidimensional cellular healing, and an over all master healer for for all conditions.

·Rose Quartz: In Magick- To attract love, friendship, emotional healing and balance, and to amplify psychic energy.                                                               In Healing- For inducing love, reducing tension, overcoming trauma, sexual imbalance, grief, addiction, overcoming rape, heart and circulatory system, chest, lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands, vertigo, fertility, burns, blistering, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and senile dementia.

·Amethyst: In Magick- For meditation, emotions, psychic enhancement, nightmares, stress, cleansing, fear, anxiety, anger, rage, grief, and dreams.          In Healing- For physical, emotional, and psychological pain; decision-making, recurrent nightmares, geopathic stress, protection against thieves, anger, rage, fear, anxiety, grief, neural transmission, dreams, alcoholism, hormone production, endocrine system, metabolism, cleansing and eliminating organs, immune system, blood, headache, bruises, injuries, swellings, burns, hearing disorders, lungs, respiratory tract, skin complaints, cellular disorders, digestive tract, regulating flora, removing parasites, reabsorption of water, insomnia, and psychiatric conditions other than paranoia or schizophrenia.

·Citrine: In Magick- For cleansing stones and crystals, wealth, and luck.                In Healing- For optimism, letting go of the past, sensitivity to environmental influences, self-esteem, self-confidence, concentration, depression, fears, phobias, individuality, motivation, creativity, self-expression, nightmares, Alzheimer’s, itching, male hormones, detoxification, elimination, energizing, recharging, M.E., degenerative disease, digestion, spleen, pancreas, kidney and bladder infections, eye problems, blood circulation, thymus, thyroid, nerves, constipation, cellulite, menopause, hot flashes, balancing hormones, menstrual problems, and alleviating fatigue.

·Carnelian: In Magick- For passion, courage, initiative, and sexual energy.            In Healing- For courage, analytic ability, dramatic pursuits, vitality, metabolism, concentration, envy, weak memory, anger, emotional negativity, nosebleeds, infertility, frigidity, impotence, increasing potency, physical wounds, blood disorders, food assimilation, absorbing vitamins and minerals, heart, circulation, blood purification, female reproductive organs, lower-back disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, depression in advanced years, bodily fluids, kidneys, headaches, stanching blood, and bones and ligaments.

·Lapis Lazuli: In Magick- Psychic channels, dealing with kids, and stimulating upper chakras.                                                                                                      In Healing- For clarity, stress, objectivity, anxiety, self-awareness, self-expression, menopause, PMS, immune system, female hormones, insomnia, pain, migraine, depression, respiratory and nervous system, throat, larynx, thyroid, organs, bone marrow, thymus, hearing loss, blood, blood pressure, and vertigo.

·Red Jasper: In Magick- Love spells and passion.                                               In Healing- For Libido, rebirth, boundaries, circulatory system, fevers, blood, liver, liver and bile blockage, filters electromagnetic and environmental pollution, stress, radiation, prolonging sexual pleasure, terminal illness and hospitalization, circulation, digestive and sexual organs, and balancing the body's mineral content.

·Opal: In Magick- For protection, encouraging psychic ability, psychic visions,and attracting love.                                                                                                       In Healing- For self-worth, strengthening the will to live, intuition, fear, loyalty, spontaneity, female hormones, menopause, Parkinson's, infections, fever, memory, purifying blood and kidneys, regulating insulin, childbirth, PMS, eyes, ears, and earth healing.

·Hematite: In Magick- For grounding, self-esteem, willpower, stress, studying, courage, to help stabilize emotions, and for scrying.                                               In Healing- For timid women, self-esteem, willpower, triple heater meridian, study mathematics and technical subjects, legal situations, compulsions, addictions, overeating, smoking, overindulgence, stress, hysteria, inflammation, courage, hemorrhage, menstrual flooding, drawing heat from the body, formation of red blood cells, regulating blood, iron absorption, circulatory problems, Reynaud’s disease, anemia, kidneys, regenerating tissue, leg cramps, nervous disorders, insomnia, spinal alignment, and fractures.

·Moonstone: In Magick- To enhance dreams, for dream recall, anxiety, and to calm emotions.                                                                                                         In Healing- For hyperactive children, deep emotional healing, disorders of upper digestive tract related to emotional stress, anxiety, female reproductive cycle, menstrual-related disease and tension, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, PMS, digestive and reproductive systems, pineal gland, hormonal balance, fluid imbalances, the biorhythmic clock, shock, assimilation of nutrients, detoxification, fluid retention, degenerative conditions, skin, hair, eyes, fleshy organs, insomnia, and sleepwalking.

·Aventurine: In Magick- For attracting wealth and abundance, and luck.                In Healing- For balancing male-female energy, prosperity, leadership, decisiveness, compassion, empathy, irritation, creativity, stuttering, severe neurosis, thymus gland, connective tissue, nervous system, blood pressure, metabolism, cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, anti-inflammatory, skin eruptions, allergies, migraine headaches, eyes, adrenals, lungs, sinuses, heart, muscular and urogenital systems.

·Amber: In Magick- For protection.                                                                       In Healing- For altruism, memory, trust, wisdom, peacefulness, decision-making, depression, vitality, stress, throat, goiter, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, liver, gallbladder, joint problems, mucous membranes, wounds, and it works as a natural antibiotic.

·Turquoise: In Magick- For protection, healing, prosperity, friendship, loyalty, self-realization, romantic love, purification, shame, guilt, depression, panic attacks, mental tension, and emotional anxiety.                                                                 In Healing- For mood swings, electromagnetic smog, exhaustion, depression, panic attacks, shame, guilt, anti-inflammatory, detoxification, meridian of the body, subtle energy fields, physical and metaphysical immune system, tissue regeneration, assimilation of nutrients, pollution, viral infections, eyes, neutralizing overacidity, gout, rheumatism, stomach, cramps, pain, and sore throat.

·Smoky Quartz: In Magick- For endurance, nightmares, stress, headaches, fear, depression, and holding problems until you’re ready to deal with them.                 In Healing- For concentration, nightmares, geopathic stress, x-ray exposure, hips, chemotherapy, libido, pain relief, fear, depression, abdomen, legs, headaches, stress, reproductive system, muscle, nerve tissue, heart, cramps, the back, nerves, the assimilation of minerals, and fluid regulation.

·Tiger's Eye: In Magick- For abundance, self-confidence, balance, depression, and freedom.                                                                                                         In Healing- For brain hemisphere integration, perception, internal conflicts, pride, willfulness, emotional balance, yin-yang, fatigue, hemophilia, hepatitis, mononucleosis, depression, eyes, night vision, throat, reproductive organs, constrictions, and broken bones.

·Black Tourmaline: In Magick- For cleansing, healing, protection, and absorbing negativity.                                                                                                                In Healing- For detoxification, spinal adjustments, balancing male-female energy, paranoia, dyslexia, hand-eye coordination, assimilation and translation of coded information, bronchitis, diabetes, emphysema, pleurisy, pneumonia, energy flow, and removal of blockages. Keep in mind that each color of tourmaline has its own properties, so these properties are only for BLACK tourmaline.

·Fluorite: In Magick- For cognition, thinking, balance, coordination, self-confidence, concentration, centering, bashfulness, worry, and the conscious mind.                                                                                                                      In Healing- For balance, coordination, self-confidence, shyness, worry, centering, concentration, psychosomatic disease, absorption of nutrients, bronchitis, emphysema, pleurisy, pneumonia, antiviral, infections, teeth, cells, bones, DNA damage, skin and mucous membranes, respiratory tract, colds, flu, sinusitis, ulcers, wounds, adhesions, mobilizing joints, arthritis, rheumatism, spinal injuries, pain relief, shingles, nerve-related pain, blemishes, wrinkles, dental work, libido.

·Cat's Eye: In Magick- For beauty, luck, forgiving, compassion, creativity, generosity, confidence and prosperity.                                                                     In Healing- For eye disorders, night vision, headaches and facial pain, adrenaline, cholesterol, chest, liver, creativity, strategic planning, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, confidence, and self-healing. WEAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY

·Malachite: In Magick- For protection, warnings, and improving sleep.                    In Healing- For transformation, psychosexual problems, inhibitions, rebirthing, shyness, detoxifying liver and gallbladder, stress, insomnia, allergies, eyes, circulatory diseases, childbirth, cramps, menstrual problems, labour, female sexual organs, blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, epilepsy, fractures, swollen joints, growths, travel sickness, vertigo, tumors, optic nerves, pancreas, spleen, parathyroid, DNA, cellular structure, immune system, acidification of tissue, and diabetes.

·Obsidian: In Magick- For scrying, protection, and absorbing negativity.              In Healing- For compassion, strength, digestion, detoxification, blockages, hardened arteries, arthritis, joint pain, cramps, pain, injuries, bleeding, circulation, enlarged prostate, and warming the extremities of the body.

·Garnet: In Magick- For devotion, kindness, health, love, and sex.                        In Healing- For attracting love, dreaming, blood diseases, regeneration, metabolism, spinal and cellular disorders, blood, heart, lungs, DNA regeneration, and mineral/vitamin assimilation.

·Rhodochrosite: In Magick- For love, joy, meditation, emotional healing, and physical healing(especially bruises.)                                                                     In Healing- For emotional release, mental stress, self-worth, denial, instilling positive attitude, overcoming chronic self-blame, irrational fears, memory, intellect, anorexia, migraine, asthma, respiratory problems, circulatory system, kidneys, eyesight, depression, low blood pressure, herpes, ovarian cancer, bladder, colon and prostate gland, sexual organs, thyroid, and infections.

·Labradorite/Spectrolite: In Magick- For astral projection, innovation, patience, stress, joy, and divination. (Can substitute other stones as well)                             In Healing- For witness during radionic treatment, aligning physical and ethereal bodies, PMS, removing warts(tape stone in place), vitality, originality, patience, eyes, brain, stress, regulating metabolism, colds, gout, rheumatism, hormones, and blood pressure.

·Pyrite(Fool's Gold): In Magick- For shielding, success, abundance, luck, and money.                                                                                                                   In Healing- For energy, diplomacy, despair, fatigue, inferiority complex, servitude, inadequacy, inertia, memory, accessing potential, cooperation, blood, circulation, bones, cell formation, DNA damage, meridians, sleep problems related to digestion, digestive tract, ingested toxins, circulatory and respiratory systems, lungs, asthma, bronchitis, and oxygenating the bloodstream.

·Heliotrope(Bloodstone): In Magick- For healing, strength, and physical protection, purification, revitalizing love, insomnia, and prosperity.                         In Healing- For insomnia, preventing miscarriage, immune stimulator, acute-infections, lymphatic system, metabolic processes, purifying: blood, liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen, and bladder; blood-rich organs, circulation, overacidification, leukemia, and tumors.

·Howlite: In Magick- For protection, calming, sleep, and compromise. (Also has the same property as turquoise.)                                                                          In Healing- For rage, patience, turbulent emotions, selfishness, positive character traits, memory, insomnia, teeth, bones, calcium, and soft tissues.

·Kyanite: In Magick- For all 7 chakras, balance, peace, creativity, healing, dreams, past lives, metaphysical abilities, stress, pain, and psychic protection.     In Healing- For logical and linear thought, victimhood, frustration, anger, stress, resignation, pain, dexterity, muscular disorders, fevers, urogenital system, thyroid and parathyroid, adrenal glands, throat, brain, blood pressure, infections, excess weight, cerebellum, motor responses, yin-yang balance, larynx, hoarseness, and motor nerves.

·Sodalite: In Magick- For healing, communication, self-expression, self-esteem, panic attacks, phobias, guilt, self-acceptance, self-trust, and truth.                         In Healing- For sick-building syndrome, electromagnetic stress, self-esteem, panic attacks, phobias, guilt, self-acceptance, self-trust, mental confusion, cellular memory healing, rational thought, objectivity, intuitive perception, balancing male-female polarities, absorption of fluid, glandular system, nerve endings, central nervous system, metabolism, calcium deficiencies, hoarseness, digestive disorders, fevers, lymphatic system, organs, immune system, radiation damage, insomnia, throat, vocal cords, larynx, and lowering blood pressure. 

·Petrified Wood: In Magick- For help in hard times, protection, and other properties that vary from tree to tree.                                                                       In Healing- For immune system, joints, muscles, bones, feet, back, nervous system, lungs, motility, aging process and diseases of old age, disintegration and calcification, obesity, disturbed sleep patterns, ancestral DNA defects, chronic fatigue syndrome, genetic disorders, recovery from serious illness, reading the Akashic Records(the legendary records of all of humanities history, thoughts, words, and languages in the past, present, and future.)

·Brown Jasper: In Magick- same properties as Red Jasper, but also for healing.   In Healing- For night vision, immune system, clearing pollutants and toxins, cleansing organs, skin, giving up smoking, electromagnetic and environmental pollution, radiation, stress, prolonged illness or hospitalization, circulation, digestive and sexual organs, and balancing mineral content of the body.

·Rutilated Quartz: In Magick- For happiness, stress, psychic ability, balance, and cleansing.                                                                                                                 In Healing- For mercury poisoning in: nerves, muscles, blood, and intestinal tract; immune system, chronic conditions, impotence, infertility, energy depletion, respiratory tract, bronchitis, thyroid, parasites, cell regeneration, torn tissues, encouraging upright posture, lactation, elasticity of blood vessels, premature ejaculation, frigidity, and anorgasmia.

·Snowflake Obsidian: In Magick- For calming, protection, acceptance, stress, fear, compassion, transmutation, and spiritual guarding.                                         In Healing- For releasing “wrong thinking”, stressful mental patterns, fear, veins, skeleton, circulation, wound healing, compassion, strength, detoxification, blockages, hardened arteries, arthritis, joint pain, cramps, injuries, pain, bleeding, and warming the extremities.

·Tourmalinated Quartz: In Magick- For luck, cleansing, and protection.               In Healing- For energy enhancement, shadow energies, self-sabotage, problem solving; harmonizing bodily meridians, auras, and chakras; master healing of any condition, detrimental environmental influences, energy flow, protecting against rainbow, and multidimensional cellular healing.

·Snow/Milky Quartz: In Magick- For compassion, joy, nurturing, confidence, growth, information, and empathy.                                                                        In Healing- For emotions, letting go, and lessons.

·Selenite: In Magick- For protection, prophecy, insight, cleansing, meditation, and divination. (Like quartz, it can substitute other crystals)                                In Healing- For judgement, insight, aligning the spinal column, flexibility, epilepsy, mercury poisoning, free radicals, and breast feeding.

·Dalmatian Stone: In Magick- Loyalty, protection, family bonds, and connecting with animals.                                                                                                         In Healing- For animals, balancing yin-yang, mood elevation, nightmares, athletes, fidelity, cartilage, nerves and reflexes, and sprains.

Source for healing properties: The Encyclopedia of Crystals by Judy Hall

The Magick properties were copied from my grimoire.

Disclaimer: these are stones that I can come across easily in my area, whether it's at a local river, a spiritualists' shop, or a gift shop. So i have no idea what it's like in other areas, but either way, i hope this helps.

[1-florida-health-insurance]

Symptoms and causes of Hair loss

Hair loss can affect only the scalp or the entire body. It can be a consequence of hereditary factors, hormonal changes, a disease or medications. Anyone can have hair loss, but it is more common in men.

Usually, baldness refers to excessive hair loss of the scalp. The most frequent cause of baldness is the hereditary factor along with age. Some people prefer to let baldness run its course without treating it or trying to hide it. Others can cover it with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. Others even choose one of the available treatments to prevent hair loss from continuing and restore their growth. Before starting a hair loss treatment, talk to your doctor about the cause and about the best treatment options.

Symptom.

Photograph of male distribution baldness

Male distribution baldness

Photograph of female distribution baldness

Female distribution baldness

Photograph showing irregular hair loss (alopecia areata)

Irregular hair loss (alopecia areata)

Photograph of alopecia by traction

Alopecia by traction

Hair loss can appear in many ways, depending on the cause. It may appear suddenly or gradually, affecting only the scalp or the entire body. Some types of hair loss are not permanent while others are permanent.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include the following:

Loss of gradual hair thickness in the upper part of the head. This is the most common type of hair loss, and it affects both men and women as they get older. In men, the hairline begins to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M. Women usually retain the hairline on the forehead but present a widening in the separation of the hair.

Points of baldness circular or in patches. In some people there are soft bald spots, the size of coins. This type of hair loss usually affects only the scalp, but sometimes it also occurs in the beard or eyebrows. In some cases, there may be itching or pain in the skin before the hair falls out.

Sudden hair loss A physical or emotional shock can loosen the hair. It is possible for hair to fall out when hair is combed or washed, or even after pulling it gently. This type of hair loss usually causes the general thinning of the hair instead of patches of baldness.

Hair loss throughout the body. Some medical conditions and treatments such as cancer chemotherapy can cause hair loss throughout the body. Usually, the hair grows back.

Peeling patches that spread on the scalp. This is a sign of ringworm. It can be accompanied by broken hair, redness, inflammation and, sometimes, secretions.

When should you see a doctor?

Consult the doctor if you or your child grieves because of hair loss and want to get treatment. Also talk to your doctor if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss, or if there is more hair loss than usual when combing or washing your hair or your child’s hair. Sudden hair loss can be a sign of a hidden disease that may require treatment.

Causes

People usually lose about 100 hairs a day. This does not usually cause hair to shrink on the scalp because, at the same time, new hair grows. Hair loss occurs when the growth and hair loss cycle is altered or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

Hair Transplant Costs and Expenses

There are lots of products available on the industry nowadays that hold the promise of thinning hair and treating male pattern hair loss. Bearing this in mind, the hair transplant price ranges between $3,200 — $11,000

Hair loss is usually related to one or more of the following factors:

Family history (genetic predisposition). The most frequent cause of hair loss is a hereditary disorder called male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. It tends to appear gradually as you get older and in predictable patterns: a receding hairline and areas of baldness among men, and reduction of hair thickness among women.

Hormonal changes and medical disorders. Several disorders can cause temporary or permanent loss of hair, which include the hormonal changes of pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems. Medical disorders include alopecia areata, which causes hair loss in patches, infections of the scalp such as ringworm, and a hair pulling disorder called trichotillomania.

Medications and supplements. Hair loss can be a side effect of some medications, such as those used to treat Cancer, Arthritis, Depression, Diabeties, Heart problems, Gout and high blood pressure.

Radiation therapy of the head. It is possible that the hair does not grow back as before.

A very stressful event. Many people notice a reduction in hair thickness months after suffering a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary.

Certain hair styles and treatments. Excessive modeling or hairstyles that pull a lot of hair (such as ponytails or African braids) can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Treatments with hot or permanent oil can inflame the follicles and cause hair loss. If there is scarring, hair loss can be permanent.

Risk factors

A number of factors can increase the risk of hair loss, such as the following:

Family history of baldness from any side of the family

Age

Significant weight loss

Some medical conditions, such as diabetes and lupus

Stress

Hair Transplant Surgery leaves scars as well in some cases

Prevention

Most cases of baldness are caused by genetic reasons (male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness). There is no prevention for this type of hair loss.

These tips can help you avoid certain types of hair loss:

Avoid tight hairstyles such as braids, runners or horsetails.

Avoid twisting your hair, rubbing it or throwing it compulsively.

Try to avoid to take the medicines. Hair Transplant Surgery Or Medicine? Follow your Doctor’s advice.

Treat your hair gently when you wash and brush it. Hair pulls can be avoided with a wide tooth comb.

Try to eat the products which contain Vitamins D which is good for healthy growth.

Avoid strong treatments such as hot curling irons, hair straighteners, hot oil treatments and permanent treatments.

Avoid taking medications or supplements that cause hair loss.

Protects hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.

Stop smoking. Some studies have shown a relationship between smoking and baldness among men.

If you undergo treatment with chemotherapy, consult the doctor about a cold cap. These caps reduce the risk of hair loss during chemotherapy.

from Florida Health Insurance https://1-florida-health-insurance.com/symptoms-and-causes-of-hair-loss/

[gethealthy18-blog]

Natural Ways to Help Low Libido or Sex Drive

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/natural-ways-to-help-low-libido-or-sex-drive/

Natural Ways to Help Low Libido or Sex Drive

Whether it’s a recent pregnancy, new job stress, or an underlying health issue, many women complain about a lack of sex drive at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, many don’t know what the cause is of their dip in desire and blame themselves, or resign themselves (and their partners) to a low or no sex life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some ways to increase sex drive in women, naturally of course!

Causes of Low Sex Drive & Libido in Women

To fix the problem we have to first understand what’s going on under the surface. Here are some of the most common causes of low sex drive in women:

Psychological causes- Low self esteem, body image issues, bad past sexual experience, sexual abuse, mental health issues. Just stressing or feeling guilty about low libido can perpetuate the problem.

Physical problems- Pain during sex or an inability to orgasm could affect desire. Surgery, especially related to the breasts or genital area. Vaginal atrophy and dryness (which occurs naturally with age and menopause) may also be making sex uncomfortable.

Health issues- When the body is working on healing it’s less likely to put effort into a sex drive. This can include arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and neurological diseases among many others.

Prescription medications

Smoking and drinking

Fatigue- Newsflash: caring for small children can be exhausting!

Hormonal changes and imbalances- May be caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, menopause.

There can be one or more of the above reasons affecting sex drive at any given time. Obviously if there are any causes on this list that can be easily fixed, you may want to consider doing so (like quitting smoking).

How Hormones Affect Sexual Desire

Hormonal dysfunction may be the most common reason for low sex drive in women. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. They travel in the bloodstream to tissues and organs. They affect many different processes including sexual function.

The most common hormones that affect libido are:

Cortisol– Dysfunctional stress in the body is the root cause of most if not all hormone imbalances. Cortisol imbalance means it may be too high, too low, or it may fluctuate. In a biological sense, it makes sense that in times of high stress (like during a famine) the body would want to avoid pregnancy. The natural mechanism to do that may be low libido and infertility.

Testosterone– Often thought of as a man’s hormone, testosterone is incredibly important for women’s sexual health too. It’s the main hormone responsible for sex drive in both men and women. However, just increasing testosterone isn’t enough to improve sex drive alone. All hormones work together  and need to stay in balance (and at the proper levels) for optimal health.

Estrogen– Though estrogen is very important for sexual function, too much is not good. The more estrogen in a woman’s body the less testosterone there is. This is called estrogen dominance and is one of the biggest contributors to sexual dysfunction.

Progesterone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone– These hormones also play a role in female sex drive. These hormones change throughout the month, causing normal hills and valleys in sex drive. However, if they are out of balance they can affect sex drive in a more serious way.

The bottom line: Hormones in the body are very complicated and have a complicated effect on each other. Hormones are so important for sex drive (and many other functions in the body) that even a slight disruption in balance can cause problems.

How Hormones Become Imbalanced

Hormones get out of balance in a number of ways:

Hormonal birth control– Synthetic hormones increase thyroid and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) which can decrease the available testosterone and thyroid hormone in the body. In a trial all three hormonal birth control types that were tested were found to increase SHBG.

Environmental endocrine disruptors– The endocrine system is very important for optimal hormonal balance. Endocrine disruptors can mimic natural hormones in the body and bind to receptors, leaving no receptors for natural hormones. People exposed to some kinds of endocrine disruptors have less testosterone in the body. Estrogenic foods like soy and certain additives should also be avoided.

Hypothyroidism– The thyroid, just like any other part of the body, doesn’t work on its own. One way it can affect sex drive is that if the thyroid is working slowly (hypothyroid) then the reproductive system is working slowly too. One study show that women with thyroid disease have a higher prevalence of low sex drive. Women with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) may also have low sex drive but are more likely to oscillate between high and low libido. Read more about thyroid imbalance in this post.

Chronic stress– Though stress can diminish libido in obvious psychological ways, stress has a hormonal effect on the body that is often to blame. Stress causes production of cortisol which can inhibit the function of the hypothalamus (the organ that sends out many of the hormonal signals in the body).

Ways to Increase Sex Drive in Women (Naturally)

Boosting a low sex drive is completely possible! Since hormonal imbalance is the biggest factor for a low sex drive in women, balancing hormones  is the best thing to do to improve libido.

Eat plenty of healthy fats– Polyunsaturated fats (like those from vegetable oils) do not give the body the building blocks it needs to produce hormones. Choose fats from healthy sources like coconut oil, real butter, olive oil, and animal fats (tallow, lard) instead and eat lots of high omega-3 fish.

Eat a nutrient-dense diet– On top of eating enough fat, the diet should be nutrient dense. Pastured eggs (especially the yolk), high quality, pastured meats and offal (liver), fruits and vegetables, and fermented foods are nutrient dense. Zinc is an essential trace element that is necessary for hormone balance. Pregnant and nursing women are at higher risk for zinc deficiency (and they are also more likely to experience low libido). Zinc can usually be found in high enough quantities in foods like beef, oysters, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and crab. (These foods are sometimes considered aphrodisiacs!)

Fix leptin– Leptin is a master hormone, and if it is out of balance (or if you are resistant to it) other hormones are more likely to be out of balance. Fixing leptin will also help boost fertility, make weight loss easier, improve sleep, and lower inflammation.

Limit caffeine– Bad news for coffee lovers (like me), but caffeine can overwhelm the endocrine system, especially if there are other hormone stressors involved, like pregnancy, presence of toxins, beneficial fat imbalance or stress. As much as I love it, I try to make sure I take breaks from coffee, or drink coffee with lower caffeine and added health benefits. There are many healthy coffee alternatives, like herbal tea, dandelion root tea latte, and chicory root “coffee.”

Avoid hormonal birth control– The hormones in birth control can wreak havoc on the body’s natural hormones, sending them into imbalance. There are many natural alternatives to hormonal birth control too.

Prioritize sleep– At night the body is active producing hormones (among other things) so sleep is essential for hormonal balance. One of many ways to naturally improve your sleep is to block blue light before bed. Blocking blue light helps the body produce melatonin (a hormone that induces sleep).

Essential oils– Though there are a number of essential oils that help balance hormones, the two that stand out are clary sage and lavender. These two oils have been the most studied and show significant benefit in balancing hormones.

Clary sage essential oil is amazing at alleviating pain, reducing the feeling of stress, and improving hormone balance. Clary sage has unique hormone like compounds that help to balance out estrogen production in the body.

Lavender essential oil helps balance hormones, offers pain relief (especially abdominal cramps associated with PMS and menstrual symptoms), and decreases feelings of stress and depression.

Supplements to Boost Libido

When diet and lifestyle are optimized, supplements may be what’s needed to get the libido back on track.

Maca root– Maca root has been used for centuries in the Andes Mountains. Maca’s high iodine is great for thyroid health (which is important for libido health too) and its high zinc level is important for sex hormones. Read more about it here.

Vitamins/minerals– Though nutrients from food are best, the foods we eat are often depleted of these important nutrients (because of depleted soil, bad growing practices, etc.) so supplementation may be necessary. Vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids are typically needed in supplement form.

DHEA cream–  If vaginal atrophy or dryness is a factor, consider using a topical vulvar cream with DHEA like the one medical advisor Dr. Anna Cabeca recommends in this podcast on vaginal health.

Low Libido: Bottom Line

Low libido is a real problem for so many women (and men!) and stressful on both sides of any relationship. I’ll be asking experts about this topic more in the future both on the blog and on the podcast and exploring the mind-body connection that may be at play in addition to the physical causes.

Did pregnancy, breastfeeding, or another hormonal change cause low libido for you? What was your experience?

Sources

Gottfried, S. (n.d.). Lost Your Mojo? It’s Not You, It’s Your Hormones. http://www.saragottfriedmd.com/how-your-hormones-really-affect-your-sex-drive-what-to-do-about-it/

Piltonen, T., Puurunen, J., Hedberg, P., Ruokonen, A., Mutt, S. J., Herzig, K. H., Tapanainen, J. S. (2012, October). Oral, transdermal and vaginal combined contraceptives induce an increase in markers of chronic inflammation and impair insulin sensitivity in young healthy normal-weight women: a randomized study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22811306

Ana, V., Cristina, G., Alina, S., Iulia, I., Florica, T., Adina, T., & Ileana, D. (2013, April 01). Sexual dysfunction in women with thyroid pathology. http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0032/ea0032p1037.htm

Reduced testosterone tied to endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure. (n.d.). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140814191528.htm

Waynberg, J., & Brewer, S. (n.d.). Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11186145

Ito, T. Y., Trant, A. S., & Polan, M. L. (n.d.). A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11554217

Waynberg, J., & Brewer, S. (n.d.). Effects of Herbal vX on libido and sexual activity in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11186145

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/401167/sex-drive/

[lindafrancois]

7 Obesity Related Diseases We Need To Say Goodbye To This International Women’s Day!

While most of us women conveniently choose to perceive the International Women’s Day as a celebration of the identity, self-esteem, freedom and whatnot, the fact remains that if we women are not beautiful inside out, the day ends up losing its true meaning. And when we say, beautiful inside out, the first and foremost facet we need to talk about is health, which is rampantly becoming a prey in the hands of overweight and obesity. According to the pan India survey conducted by AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) and Dr Anoop Misra (Chairman – National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation), 2 in every 3 urban women is found to be obese while every eighth woman in rural India is suffering from obesity. Ironically, a nation which was and is still known for its prevailing starvation, today is stuck in the spirality of obesity!  Also, the fact that Indian women do not pay attention to health and fitness placing their family obligations on top of everything else (including their own health), makes for a perfect recipe for the onset of obesity and overweight.

Ladies, pledge to keep your health as your topmost priority and make a healthy world for you and your loved ones. Get in touch with our Truweight Nutritionist today for any kind of assistance on health, nutrition and weight-related concerns and we shall be glad to help. The first consultation is on us.

So on this International Women’s Day, let us open our eyes to the hazardous effects of obesity and the diseases caused by being overweight, 7 of which we are going to discuss now:

1. High Blood Pressure

Obesity can be a common cause of high pressure in women

Obesity is one of the major causes of high blood pressure, which is amongst the top causes of death besides obstructive pulmonary disease, diarrhoea and tuberculosis [1] [2]. High blood pressure or hypertension is directly linked to your heart and brain – the two most vital organs of your body. High blood pressure also gives rise to heart diseases and it has been found that obese people have increased blood volume and arterial resistance. High blood pressure also exposes you to the risk of a stroke or a heart attack, which can kill you (if you are fortunate enough) or may even leave you paralyzed and disabled for the rest of your life.   

2. Diabetes

Diabetes is caused by overweight

Type-2 diabetes is another deadly disease caused by obesity [3]. Obesity paves way for insulin resistance, which causes diabetes. There is an array of after-effects of diabetes including vision impairment, kidney problems, gangrene, etc.

3. High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association, another health hazard posed by obesity is heart disease which can many a times lead to a heart attack and stroke. In fact, according to studies, obese people carry a risk of heart attack even before they reach the age of 45 [4]. Studies indicate that people who carry excess weight have a higher risk of having a heart attack before the age of 35 [5]. Consumption of saturated oil found in most junk foods seems to be the leading cause of obesity.  

4. Cancer

There are several studies that clearly link obesity to certain types of cancers like Endometrial Cancer, Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Gastric cardia cancer, Liver cancer, Kidney cancer, Multiple myelomas, Meningioma, Pancreatic cancer, Colorectal cancer, Gallbladder cancer, Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer and Thyroid cancer [6]. Studies also suggest that obese people suffer from chronic low-level inflammation which over time turns into cancer. It has also been found that as obesity increases, the chances of occurrence of these cancers also increases simultaneously.

5. Infertility

Obesity causes abnormal hormonal levels which leads to ovarian failure and thus fertility [7]. Obesity also causes PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which is a common cause of fertility. Studies also suggest that women who are overweight or obese have less chance of getting pregnant overall. Also, the risk of pre-eclampsia doubles in overweight women and triples in obese women. Overweight women have twice the risk of gestational diabetes as compared to women of healthy weight.  An obese woman is twice more likely to have a miscarriage as a woman with healthy weight. Babies born to obese women are likely to be large in size and sometimes need neonatal intensive care or have a congenital abnormality [8].

6. Back Pain

Are you suffering from back pain due to over weight?

Obesity can expose you to various aches and pains including that of the neck, shoulder, back, spine, legs, ankle, etc, the reason being that these body parts carry your body weight. People who are overweight are at a much greater risk to suffer from back and spine pain. The excess weight carried by an obese person puts additional strain and pressure on the spine, which results in injury to the spine and back. Obesity also raises the risk of developing osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and arthritis [9].

7. Depression

Obesity causes hormonal imbalances which lead to depression among women and even men. Obesity also causes low self-esteem which in the long run, turns into clinical depression [10] [11]. It has also been found that obese people are more likely to experience mood disorders than people who have a healthy weight. Not being able to fit into good-looking clothes is one of the major setbacks experienced by obese women that sets them on a path of self-destruction, only a handful being able to emerge winners post the setback [12].

A Quick Peek into the events that transpired into International Women’s Day Today 

1909 – The first National Woman’s Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.

1910 – The Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women’s Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women’s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. The proposal was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, which included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament. No fixed date was selected for the observance.

1911 – As a result of the Copenhagen initiative, International Women’s Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded women’s rights to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.

1913-1914 –  International Women’s Day also became a mechanism for protesting World War I. As part of the peace movement, Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists.

1917 – Against the backdrop of the war, women in Russia again chose to protest and strike for “Bread and Peace” on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.

1975 – During International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March.

1995 – The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisioned a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.

2014 – The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58) – the annual gathering of States to address critical issues related to gender equality and women’s rights — focused on “Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls”. UN entities and accredited NGOs from around the world took stock of progress and remaining challenges towards meeting the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs have played an important role in galvanizing attention on and resources for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

So these were some hard facts about obesity and its health hazards. Join hands with health and fitness this International Women’s Day and see how it changes your life and your world. Here is wishing you all a very happy International Women’s Day.    

The post 7 Obesity Related Diseases We Need To Say Goodbye To This International Women’s Day! appeared first on Blog.

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[organiclifestylemagazine]

Turmeric and Diabetes

Every now and then we hear about a common food that contains amazing healing properties. Turmeric is a fine example. Although it is a spice that has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years, its potential to cure disease has been largely ignored in the West. Now we are told it can be used to treat a whole list of ailments from diarrhea to diabetes, and scientific tests are beginning to back up these claims.

What is Turmeric?

The turmeric plant, a member of the Zingiberaceae or ginger family, is native to Southeast Asia. Like ginger, the rhizome, or root, is the source of the spice. The turmeric root looks much like ginger root except for its color. While ginger is white, turmeric is orange, so orange, it was used as a dye before it was used for medicinal purposes.

If you’ve never bought turmeric, you may not realize you’ve eaten it. Chances are, you have. It is the main spice in curries, the spice that gives curry powders an orange color.

Related: Foods, Vitamins, and Herbs That Kill Cancer

What Does Turmeric Contain That Aids in Healing?

Curcumin has been identified as turmeric’s source of healing properties. Curcumin is both an anti-inflammatory and a strong anti-oxidant. It prevents inflammation and reduces chronic inflammation. It has also been found to induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer and pre-cancer cells.

What is Turmeric Used to Treat?

According to Web M.D., turmeric is used internally to treat the following:

Arthritis

Heartburn (dyspepsia)

Joint pain

Stomach pain

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Bypass surgery

Hemorrhage

Diarrhea

Intestinal gas

Stomach bloating

Loss of appetite

Jaundice

Liver problems

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection

Stomach ulcers

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Gallbladder disorders

High cholesterol

Lichen planus

Skin inflammation from radiation treatment,

Fatigue

Headaches

Bronchitis

Colds

Lung infections

Fibromyalgia

Leprosy

Fever

Menstrual problems

Itchy skin

Recovery after surgery

Cancers

Depression

Alzheimer’s disease

Swelling in the middle layer of the eye (anterior uveitis)

Water retention

Worms

Lupus

Urinary bladder inflammation

Kidney problems

Soreness inside of the mouth and gum disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (used as an enema)

Diabetes

And is used topically to treat:

Pain

Ringworm

Sprains and swellings

Bruising

Leech bites

Eye infections

Acne

Inflammatory skin conditions and skin sores

Infected wounds

Related: What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good

Turmeric and Diabetes

If you google turmeric or curcumin, you will find statements denouncing its benefits. It is common to find every alternative healthcare claim to be summarily dismissed. On the other hand, it doesn’t take much effort to find scholarly articles that show turmeric’s health benefits, such as the studies regarding turmeric and diabetes.

Studies have shown turmeric lowers blood sugar levels, repairs pancreas cells (even benefitting type I diabetics), reverses prediabetes, lowers cholesterol levels, reduces heart risks, protects kidneys, and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the disease.

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

What is Diabetes?

When we eat, carbohydrates and sugars are broken down into glucose. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which allows glucose in the bloodstream to enter the cells. When this process is disrupted because the body cannot make enough insulin or can’t utilize the insulin it does make, high levels of glucose remain in the blood and the cells do not receive the glucose they need.

High blood sugar results in damage to blood vessels, to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other parts of the body. Healing and circulation may become impaired. Diabetes is also associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans or 9.4% of the population have diabetes; 1.25 million (4%) have type 1 diabetes. In 2015, diabetes was rated the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. The body attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells that make insulin, leaving the pancreas unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, if any at all. The treatment for type 1 diabetes is lifelong insulin therapy – injected insulin – along with diet and exercise management.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. It is believed that hormones from the placenta create insulin resistance, causing the mother to need as much as 3 times the usual amount of insulin. The CDC estimates gestation diabetes occurs in about 9.2% of pregnancies.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is also caused by insulin resistance. Since the cells don’t respond correctly to insulin, the pancreas overproduces insulin to compensate. Over time, the pancreas is unable to provide enough insulin.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is diagnosed when blood sugar is abnormally high but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes. These elevated levels of blood sugar can still cause damage to the body.

Curcumin, Prediabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes

In a study conducted in 2012, 240 pre-diabetic patients were randomly chosen to receive either curcumin or placebo capsules. By the end of the 9-month study, 16.4% of the control group developed type 2 diabetes, while the subjects who received curcumin showed better overall function of the pancreatic cells, and not one patient developed diabetes.

A 2014 study that reviewed articles published from 1998 to 2013 in PubMed concluded that curcumin can reduce blood glucose levels, stimulate glucose uptake, stimulate insulin secretion, improve pancreatic cell function, and reduce insulin resistance.

Although most of the positive reports involve prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, some studies are also showing improvements in the pancreas tissue of patients with type I diabetes.

Related: How to Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe

Warnings

There are a few warnings about regular or daily use of turmeric for medicinal purposes. Extreme amounts taken on a daily basis may cause problems with the liver. Keep in mind that turmeric really does work to reduce blood sugar levels. Do not use it medicinally along with medication to reduce blood sugar. The result may be hypoglycemia – low blood sugar.

For excellent detail regarding dosage and interactions, check out Turmeric Dosage for Diabetics. The entire site, Turmeric for Health, is filled with useful information, including recipes.

To learn more about healthy absorption of turmeric and a delicious way to consume it, read How To Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe. To increase absorption of curcumin, always add a pinch of black pepper. There is evidence that garlic also increases absorption.

Conclusion

There is abundant evidence proving turmeric can prevent type 2 diabetes and aid in managing or reversing the disease. Remember, the smart way to manage or prevent late onset diabetes is through diet and exercise, not by simply adding supplements or medications to your daily routine. But turmeric can certainly be a healthy part of your diet plan as well as a supplemental aid, without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

Recommended Reading:

Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

Cinnamon – Ceylon Vs Cassia, Health Benefits, and Other Interesting Facts

The Amazing Herbal Power of Ginger

Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases

Hypothyroidism – Natural Remedies, Causes, and How To Heal the Thyroid

Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula

Sources:

Turmeric – Web M.D.

Statistics About Diabetes – American Diabetes Association

Curcumin Extract for Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes – Diabetes Care

Anti-hyperglycemic and insulin sensitizer effects of turmeric and its principle constituent curcumin. – Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Oct 1;12(4)

Why All Diabetics Should Know About Turmeric – The Food Revolution Network

12 Benefits Of Turmeric In Diabetes – Turmeric for Health

Turmeric Dosage For Diabetes – Turmeric for Health

Turmeric and Diabetes was originally published on Organic Lifestyle Magazine

[chickennuggetsanddinos]

I don’t normally do these, but...

First and foremost, a disclaimer: I do not mean to offend with what I’m about to rant about. I recognize that some people need to eat specific diets because of health and medical reasons. I also recognize people eat diets for moral reasons, such as those who a vegetarian or vegan. I commend those who do that and envy your restraint and moral fortitude for doing so. You keep doing you. Additionally, I am neither a doctor, nutritionist, or in any way qualified to give advice on health or nutrition. I am merely voicing an opinion from the standpoint of someone trained in empiricism. My problem does not lie with what a person should and shouldn’t eat or why. My problem is with those who put themselves on a specific diet which A) Makes no sense, B) Has no scientific backing for those who do not have specific medical concerns triggered by food, C) touts itself as a “cure” for anything, and D) makes itself out to be something attainable by all people and something you should do because (insert whatever conspiracy theory here about food)

My issue lies with the “Whole 30″ diet. The only reason I have the issue is because when I visited my family for the first time in two years last week, they were preparing to start after I left. Being trained in the scientific method and practicing skepticism, I began to do a little research. I was displeased with what I found. I was even more displeased with the fact that my family believed this would be the magic solution to their health problems and that they did not consult with any trained professionals or do any research looking at the effectiveness of what they were about to do or consider the fact that there could be unwanted ill effects, which seems irresponsible to me.  For those of you who may not know, “Whole 30″ is a strict, elimination diet that promises to “help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system” (https://whole30.com/step-one/) They say: “Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset”. Their language use is very careful; throwing “could”, “might” and “may” when they’re discussing what this diet treats, legally covering their asses so as to not be sued when it, ultimately, doesn’t work. They claim to treat things, such as seasonal allergies, fertility issues, digestive issues, low energy issues, and even mental issues (such as ADHD. Autism, thankfully, is not listed because their lawyers knew better). 

Their page says “ So how do you know if (and how) these foods are affecting you? Strip them from your diet completely. Cut out all the psychologically unhealthy, hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days. Let your body heal and recover from whatever effects those foods may be causing. Push the “reset” button with your metabolism, systemic inflammation, and the downstream effects of the food choices you’ve been making “ which, in and of itself, is not a bad statement. I’m sure that all of us could benefit from cutting out some of the food from our diet. That $.39 cup of instant ramen I have in my pantry is most likely a poor choice for me to eat and it would most likely be better for me to actually eat something like a salad for lunch. But, there are a few barriers to me doing so that I will get to later in this rant, so buckle up and just wait. The basic rules of this diet are as follows (which can all be found at https://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/): 

You must cut out all:  Sugar, natural or artificial (which means sugar, honey, stevia, maple syrup, sweet’n’low, etc.) Dairy Grains, either in whole or processed form (even oils such as corn) Alcohol, even in cooking (which makes many flavor extracts out as well as they contain alcohol) and ideally tobacco products. Legumes (i.e. peanuts, all beans, all soy products, tempeh, or soy-based additives in foods) Carrageenan (a derivative from seaweed which turns gelatinous when mixed with water), MSG (or it’s other forms), or sulfites Baked goods, junk foods, or treats with “approved” ingredients (meaning you can’t take a muffin and make it using avocado oil and coconut flour. “That’s what got you in trouble in the first place” the website says)

Also, you can’t weigh yourself for the 30 days

However, there are exceptions to these rules, which are as follows: 

You may use Ghee or clarified butter, because the milk fats are no longer present You may have fruit juices, either to drink or cook with You may eat green beans, snow peas, and sugar snap peas, because they are “far more “pod” than “bean,” and green plant matter is generally good for you”(notice again the “generally” so as to cover their asses) You may use all vinegar, except malt vinegar, which contains gluten You may use Coconut aminos as a soy sauce substitute, even if it has “coconut nectar” in the ingredients You may have salt even though table salt contains dextrose (which is sugar) because otherwise the Potassium iodide would oxidize away and leave you without an essential nutrient

People with suspected food allergies benefit from these type of diets, however, the major difference is that you usually cut out one or two at a time, document the results, and then move on based on your data on an allergen elimination diet. Ya know, like the actual entire scientific and empirical process dictates. Do you know why that’s the case? Because, by only messing with one or two variables at a time, you can easily make an association between food X and symptom A. You can more easily demonstrate a functional relationship, causal or correlational. When you mess with more than 2 variables (3 at the most) in one go, you don’t have enough control over what you’re doing to be able to say with any type of certainty that food X (Y, Z, so on) is systematically associated with an abatement of symptom A (and/or B, C, and so on). You have absolutely no way of knowing, using the Whole 30 diet program, if your issue was the grain, the legumes, the dairy, the sugar, or any of the other things you cut out from your diet at the same time. That’s the biggest emphasis I want to make in this section. Since it’s all being removed at the same time, it makes it impossible for you to make an empirically sound claim.  Now, again, do not get me wrong. Those with undiagnosed food-triggered conditions, such as sensitivities or allergies, will most likely see a benefit on this diet. You will also, most likely, lose some weight on this diet, which would most likely benefit many of us as we consume way too many calories and carry some “extra weight” (myself included. I gained 30 pounds in a year because I was in grad school, off and on medications, and had a major life change as far as my activity level went. It was my fault and I’m working on reshaping my life to lose it and go back to a healthy weight. I’m not perfect nor am I claiming to be). However, once the 30 days are over, you are free to go back to eating and drinking as you had before (which most people will because when you deprive yourself of things, you want it more and you will begin to do drastic things to get it. It is a well studied phenomenon and dietitians generally advise against cutting things out like that for weight-loss because of this very fact). So, that means that if you go back to your eating habits pre-30 days, you will 1. most likely not find what you may be allergic or sensitive to unless you reintroduce one food at a time and take data on symptom progression and 2. most likely gain the weight lost right back.  Additionally, I find it hard to see how cutting these specific food types from your diet will have any direct impact on non-food related illnesses and disorders. Perhaps in 10 years, I will eat my words. We only recently discovered that 90% of bodily serotonin is made in the gut by the microbiome, but we’re still not sure how that plays a role in our overall mental health. It’s only a thing we observed. We don’t yet know the role any manipulation of the microbiome might have on the outcome of mental health. Studies are being done as I type, but for now, no claims can be made because we have no evidence. However, Whole 30 claims that their diet can help treat illnesses that, as of now, have absolutely zero connection to food, such as Lupus. In fact, on their site (https://whole30.com/step-one/) they claim “More than 95% of participants lose weight and improve their body composition, without counting or restricting calories. Also commonly reported: consistently high energy levels, improved athletic performance, better sleep, improved focus and mental clarity, and a sunnier disposition. (Yes, more than a few Whole30 graduates said they felt “strangely happy” during and after their program)...Finally, testimonials from thousands of Whole30 participants document the improvement or “cure” of any number of lifestyle-related diseases and conditions.high blood pressure • high cholesterol • type 1 diabetes • type 2 diabetes • asthma • allergies • sinus infections • hives • skin conditions • endometriosis • PCOS • infertility • migraines • depression • bipolar disorder • heartburn • GERD • arthritis • joint pain • ADD • thyroid dysfunction • Lyme disease • fibromyalgia • chronic fatigue • lupus • leaky gut syndrome • Crohn’s • IBS • Celiac disease • diverticulitis • ulcerative colitis”. There are no citations for these claims, no data comparing this to control groups, and they even say that their evidence comes from testimonials. I would like to point out a little saying: The plural of anecdote is not data. You absolutely cannot rely on the stories of others as valid and reliable evidence because there was no control and such things are subject and biased.  Again, not to be misunderstood: Everyone has bias. In fact, I am exhibiting bias right now by typing this. I am biased against diets such as these. But, my bias does at least have some evidence behind it in the form of peer-reviewed, evidence based studies (which Whole 30 lacks, which knocks their credibility out). And, I’m not trying to discredit the stories of those for whom this diet led to an improvement in their health and wellbeing. What I am trying to discredit, though, are the claims that these results will happen for everyone. They are very careful with their language usage, as I pointed out earlier, but reading through still gives the impression that this diet is the magic cure, which it most certainly is not and can never be.  Now, before I end, I’d like to discuss my final point (D): That this diet is neither easy or attainable for everyone, unlike what the site claims.  The site claims that Whole 30 (https://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/): The diet is not hard (they say fighting cancer is hard, losing a loved one is hard, but cutting out the foods is not hard) The diet does not require planning You don’t have to eat something you don’t want You don’t have the option to have a “slip”, so don’t even think about it It does not require effort.  These are lies. They are bold faced lies and they know it. Let me go ahead and break each of these claims down, show how they are lies, and point out how the statements may also be a toxic mindset.  1. The diet is not hard. That’s utter horseshit. Yes, beating cancer is hard. Yes, losing a loved one is hard. It’s also hard to go to the store, take the time to read the label of EVERYTHING you now have to buy, and it’s hard to actually get some of the ingredients “approved” on this diet, especially if you are A) low income and/or B) live in a food desert. Additionally, making some of the “approved” ingredients is difficult. Do you know how much time it takes to make clarified butter? I do and it’s a lot, especially if it’s your first time and you have literally zero idea what you’re doing. Also, the withdrawal symptoms your body is going to go through on this diet are going to be shit and not everyone has a day or two to feel like ass and then get back on our feet. You don’t want to be irritable, crabby, and shaky at work trying to get your things done. Not everyone can take those couple of days off and then come back right as rain. By saying your diet is not hard, you are making people who have very little options for their food feel like shit because they “should” be eating X, Y, and Z, but they have $50 for the week and 4 people to feed and they can’t justify a $10 bottle of avocado oil. Finally, cooking can be difficult for those who have not grown up in a situation where they were taught to prepare and cook foods or they work such hours that make cooking a daunting task (like those on 3rd shift, or those who work more than 30 hours per week) 2. The diet requires no planning. Again, horseshit. Unless you are able to hold a vast of information in your working and short-term memory such that you do not have to plan for your shopping and your meals each and every day, you must plan for this diet. I watched my sister spend hours researching foods, hours making a list for compliant foods, go to multiple grocery stores to get said foods, and spend a full day prepping for the weeks meals. I should also mention my sister is married, works 12 hours per week (max) and has very little responsibilities outside the house. Imagine how that would work if she held a full-time job outside of her house in addition to homschooling her two children (which she does, but it’s summer vacation where they are now, so she’s not actively doing it), and took more than one class at a time (again, she takes a course per semester at the community college for a degree she has no intention of using to get a job). So, that brings us to a total of about 2-ish days of planning for the following 7 for a family of 4 who has a stay-at-home parent. What about those who don’t have that? By saying this diet requires no planning, you make it seem as though all who are in any position in life can do this with no issues or barriers because it’s so easy.  3. You don’t have to eat something you don’t want. This is the only statement I’ll say is technically true. 

4. You don’t have the option to “slip”, so don’t even think about it. This diet says should you eat something on the non-approved list, you’ve undone everything you’ve been working towards and your 30 days resets. For a diet that’s all about “food freedom”, this seems a bit restrictive to me. Additionally, having the mindest of “I can’t eat this because my diet says not to” or “I can’t eat that because I’ll have to start over” constitutes you punishing yourself for no other reason than someone said so. That’s not a freedom of choice. That’s someone dictating your choices for you.  So, there you go. There’s my rant. Again, I’m not an expert on food and health, but I do have 6 years of training in human and animal behavior, the scientific method, and skepticism. I’m not telling you how to eat, because I’m unqualified to do so and I have a lot of work to do on my diet, personally, so if I were to even give advice, I’d be a hypocrite (which I am unwilling to do). All I want to do is to point out the utter nonsensical nature of this thing and how it can actually be doing more harm than good. Please, if you’re thinking of starting a diet, consult with your doctor and do your research on the effectiveness, benefits, and risks involved. Go into something as serious as your health as informed as you can be so you don’t end up doing any damage or getting yourself sick. That’s all I really want is for people to be happy and healthy. 

[elitegarbagecollector-blog]

Dry Eyes

For a couple of days now my eyes have been having this itching episodes and the only comfort I get is when I rubbed my eyes so hard that I thought that my eyeballs would eventually roll back into my skull and I'm left with no eyes. Not sure if scientifically that could happen, but each time my brain would play that scenerio and I would stop rubbing my eyes just because.

So today I will share with you the Dry Eyes Symptoms so that if you happen to have the same symptoms, at least you have some knowledge about what steps you need to take next to prevent your eyeballs from rolling to the back of your skull.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you've had prolonged signs and symptoms of dry eyes, including red, irritated, tired or painful eyes. Your doctor can take steps to determine what's bothering your eyes or refer you to a specialist. Symptoms may include:

-A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes (yeap) -Stringy mucus in or around your eyes -Sensitivity to light -Eye redness -A sensation of having something in your eyes (yeap) -Difficulty wearing contact lenses -Difficulty with nighttime driving -Watery eyes, which is the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes -Blurred vision or eye fatigue (yeap)

For me, I always thought my eyes were tired due to lack of sleep. But I can't fall asleep or take a nap because my eyes stings at times.

What causes this?

Dry eyes are caused by a lack of adequate tears. For others it's increased tear evaporation and an imbalance in the makeup of your tears. The medical term for this condition is keratoconjunctivitis sicca(ker-uh-toe-kun-junk-tih-VY-tis SIK-uh)- try pronouncing this shit. Common causes for lack of tears are:

-Aging (geez) -Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, thyroid disorders and vitamin A deficiency (diabetes maybe?) -Certain medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, and drugs for high blood pressure, acne, birth control and Parkinson's disease (I have sinuses and use a lot of antihistamines, so maybe) -Laser eye surgery, though symptoms of dry eyes related to this procedure are usually temporary -Tear gland damage from inflammation or radiation

Apparently being over 50, or being a woman, lack of Vitamin A and wearing contact lenses for too long will further contribute to the dry eyes problem. I used to wear contact lenses for a long period of time and the eye specialist did tell me that I have less than 60% of my eyes moisture and that was when I was 21. I'm 35 this year, so basically my eyes are like the Sahara Desert.

You won't die from dry eyes,but it may complicate stuff like no eyeballs, eye infections and etc. So do get it check if it hinders with your sleep and daily life okay? Don't wait till you don't have anymore eyes.

Till then, adieu

[sherristockman]

Why the War on Salt Is Dangerous Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola The theory that salt is bad for you and contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease is an idea that has become more or less cemented as dogma. Alas, the war on salt has had a number of drawbacks and unintended consequences. For starters, evidence shows having the correct potassium to sodium balance influences your risk for hypertension and heart disease to a far greater extent than high sodium alone, and the Western diet tends to be lacking in potassium. Moreover, when lowering salt in processed foods, many manufacturers took to adding monosodium glutamate (MSG) instead — a flavor enhancer associated with a number of health problems, including obesity, headaches, fatigue and depression. Due to its ability to overexcite neurons, MSG may even raise your risk for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's disease. War on Salt Is Misguided In 2010, New York City launched the National Salt Reduction Initiative, a salt-reduction plan aimed at lowering salt in processed foods and restaurant meals by 25 percent in the next four years. Two years later, Dr. Sean Lucan of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine wrote an article published online in the American Journal of Public Health, saying:1 "We cannot extrapolate that lowering sodium consumption would reduce cardiovascular risk or premature death. Despite assertions to the contrary, we do not know that reducing mean population sodium intake would decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease or save lives." At the time, Lucan told The New York Post:2 "We can't just swallow this as fact — there's actually debate about this. My concern is that they're focusing on a single ingredient that the food industry is going to have to replace with something — and what they replace it with might be more damaging." Lucan also noted that the relationship between sodium and blood pressure is inconsistent and from a clinical standpoint, insubstantial. Moreover, he stressed that some studies actually show a low-salt diet can worsen cardiovascular disease and raise rather than lower the risk for early death among patients at high risk of heart disease. In addition, lowering salt intake could also decrease insulin sensitivity and have an adverse effect on blood lipids. Correctly, Lucan noted that "Refined carbohydrates are a greater enemy." Potassium Level Impacts High Blood Pressure More Than Sodium Studies have clearly shown that having the correct balance of potassium to sodium is far more important than lowering salt alone. Potassium is a naturally occurring mineral your body uses as an electrolyte (substance in solution that conducts electricity), and it is vital for optimal health and normal functioning. Potassium works in your body to relax the walls of your arteries, keep your muscles from cramping, and lowers your blood pressure.3 The reduction in blood pressure with added potassium has also been associated in studies with a reduced risk of stroke.4 While diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating (such as when using a sauna) and some drugs may deplete or disrupt your potassium balance, the most common reason for low potassium is eating a potassium-poor diet. If you're eating mostly processed foods, your sodium-to-potassium balance is virtually guaranteed to be inversed. The average reported intake of potassium from food is about half of the 4,700 mg recommended.5 Research demonstrates these low levels of potassium may have a significant impact on blood pressure, especially when combined with too much salt. Dr. Paul Welton, professor of epidemiology at Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, analyzed 29 trials that demonstrated low levels of potassium resulted in higher systolic blood pressure readings.6 Studies performed since then have found similar results.7,8 According to Welton:9 "The evidence is very strong and very consistent. A higher potassium intake may blunt the effects of excess salt on blood pressure. Potassium's effect is bigger in people who have higher blood pressure, bigger in older people, bigger in people who are consuming a lot of salt and bigger in black people." The Many Benefits of Potassium Recent research found that women without hypertension who consumed the most potassium (nearly 3,200 mg/day) had a 21 percent reduced risk of stroke. Further, women who consumed the most potassium were 12 percent less likely to die during the study period than those who consumed the least.10 Adequate amounts of potassium are also associated with quicker recovery from exercise and improved muscle strength.11,12 As an electrolyte, potassium helps to regulate the fluid balance in your cells and throughout your body.13 This fluid balance is essential to maintaining life, preventing dehydration at the cellular level and maintaining brain function.14 For example, potassium is important in the transmission of nerve impulses in your brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.15 Nerve impulses transmitting information from one nerve to the next happens as the result of electrical activity. This activity is what an electrocardiogram measures as it tracks heart activity. Low levels of potassium have also been linked with high levels of insulin and glucose, associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.16 These results have been found in several studies,17 leading researchers to recommend dietary choices that boost potassium levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Sodium/Potassium Ratio Is Key to Strong Muscles and Relaxed Arteries The key to relaxing your arterial walls and reducing your blood pressure is the sodium-to-potassium ratio. If you eat a lot of processed foods and few fresh vegetables, there's a good chance your sodium-to-potassium ratio is unbalanced. If you're unsure, use http://ift.tt/2mr29VB, a nutrient tracker that allows you to enter the foods you eat and then calculates the ratio automatically. It's generally recommended that you consume five times more potassium than sodium, but most Americans eat twice as much sodium as potassium. This ratio is far more important for your health than your overall salt intake,18 and a better strategy to promote public health would be to forgo the strict sodium reduction element and focus recommendations on a high-quality diet rich in potassium instead, as this nutrient helps offset the hypertensive effects of sodium. Imbalance in this ratio can not only lead to high blood pressure but also contribute to a number of other health problems, including: ✓ Kidney stones ✓ Memory decline ✓ Cataracts ✓ Osteoporosis ✓ Erectile dysfunction ✓ Stomach ulcers ✓ Rheumatoid arthritis ✓ Stomach cancer Less Salt, More MSG As Lucan suspected, in many cases, food manufacturers did indeed replace the salt with something more damaging, namely MSG. As noted by the International Glutamate Information Service in the article, "MSG Is Useful in a Reduced Sodium Diet":19 "Since its discovery over 100 years ago, [MSG] has been used effectively to enhance the umami taste in food. It is also an effective means of reducing the levels of salt used in food preparation. Studies have demonstrated that people find food with low levels of salt much more acceptable when a small amount of [MSG] is added. MSG is mistakenly thought of as being high in sodium. However, MSG contains only one-third the amount of sodium as table salt … MSG is often an important ingredient for people on a low-sodium diet, because it improves the flavor of a dish while reducing the need for salt … [W]hen MSG is added … sodium levels can be lowered by up to 40 percent while maintaining the desired flavor." Health Hazards of MSG While MSG is touted as a safe food additive, having received "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) status in 1959, scientific evidence against it has stacked up. Ironically, MSG has even been linked to high blood pressure,20 effectively negating the proposed benefit of replacing sodium with MSG. Research has also linked MSG consumption to: ✓ Endocrine disruption, metabolic syndrome, obesity21,22 and weight gain.23 The weight gain, which was not associated with higher amounts of calories, is thought to be related to MSG's impact on leptin. People who ate more MSG produced higher amounts of leptin, a hormone involved in appetite regulation and metabolism. By causing leptin resistance, your body loses its ability to properly process the energy derived from the food ✓ Genotoxicity; specifically, MSG was found to be genotoxic to human peripheral blood lymphocytes (mature white blood cells/immune cells found in your blood circulation)24 ✓ Thyroid damage, even at low doses25 ✓ Kidney dysfunction26 ✓ Intestinal damage, caused by progressive damage to epithelial cells in your small intestine27 ✓ Liver damage that can lead to fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and pre-cancerous lesions28,29 ✓ Brain lesions,30 seizures and behavioral changes31 ✓ Increased risk of infertility32,33 ✓ Severe rhinitis in those with MSG intolerance34 ✓ Diabetes35 Acute Side Effects of MSG Ingestion Many also experience more immediate side effects from MSG, with a pounding headache being one of the most prominent. While the exact cause of MSG-induced headache remains unclear, research investigating the matter has demonstrated that MSG "induces a dose-dependent swelling and death of mature neurons,"36 which may be part of the equation. Other common side effects that may occur within an hour or so of eating MSG include:37,38 ✓ Sweating ✓ Chest tightness ✓ Wheezing and/or difficulty breathing ✓ Dizziness ✓ Nausea ✓ Diarrhea ✓ Flushing and/or tingling of the face ✓ Burning or numbness in the back of your neck and/or upper body ✓ Heart palpitations ✓ Abdominal pain ✓ Shaking ✓ Weakness in the legs The MSG Symptom Complex Is Real A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study39 published in 1997 investigated MSG symptoms by conducting an oral challenge in "self-identified MSG-sensitive subjects" to see whether they really had a higher incidence of symptoms after eating MSG, compared to a placebo. Sixty-one participants received 5 grams (gm) of MSG or placebo as an initial challenge. Of them: 29.5 percent had no response to either MSG or placebo 9.8 percent responded to both 24.6 percent responded to placebo 36.1 percent responded to MSG While many reported side effects from the placebo, the severity of symptoms were greater among those who received MSG than placebo. The participants were then rechallenged with placebo and 1.25, 2.5 and 5 gm of MSG. According to the authors: "Rechallenge revealed an apparent threshold dose for reactivity of 2.5 gm MSG. Headache, muscle tightness, numbness/tingling, general weakness and flushing occurred more frequently after MSG than placebo ingestion. Oral challenge with MSG reproduced symptoms in alleged sensitive person … According to Food and Drug Administration recommendations, the symptoms, originally called the Chinese restaurant syndrome, are better referred to as the MSG symptom complex." Vitamin C and Lycopene Offer Protection Against MSG's Effects Certain compounds have been found to offer some protection against MSG's adverse effects. Vitamin C was found to provide "significant protection against MSG toxicity" in one study,40 and lycopene has also been found to avert its neurotoxic effects. A study investigating the latter gave male rats either 5 milligrams (mg) per kilo (kg) of MSG, 10 mg/kg of lycopene, MSG with lycopene, or placebo, for 30 days. According to the authors: "The results showed that MSG induced elevation in lipid peroxidation marker and perturbation in the antioxidant homeostasis … Glutathione S-transferase … superoxide dismutase … and catalase … activities and gene expression were increased and glutathione content was reduced in the MSG-challenged rats, and these effects were ameliorated by lycopene … Our results indicate that lycopene appears to be highly effective in relieving the toxic effects of MSG by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inducing modifications in the activity of cholinesterase and antioxidant pathways. Interestingly, lycopene protects brain tissue by inhibiting apoptosis signaling induced by MSG." Hidden Sources of MSG While added MSG must be listed in the list of ingredients as "monosodium glutamate," its absence is no guarantee of safety. MSG and synthetic free glutamate in varying amounts can still hide in processed foods under names such as:41 ✓ Hydrolyzed vegetable protein ✓ Autolyzed or hydrolyzed yeast ✓ Yeast extract ✓ Soy extract ✓ Protein isolate ✓ Natural flavor ✓ Glutamate and monopotassium glutamate ✓ Calcium caseinate ✓ Gelatin While not commonly known, MSG is even used as a stabilizer in certain vaccines,42 which seems to be a particularly bad idea considering its many adverse health effects, particularly on the brain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MSG can be found in the following five vaccines:43 Adenovirus Influenza quadrivalent (FluMist) MMRV (ProQuad) Varicella (Varivax) Zoster (Shingles-Zostravax) Real Food Is the Answer Getting nutrients from your food instead of supplements is preferable as your food contains more than a single nutrient and in different forms. For instance, potassium found in fruits and vegetables is potassium citrate or potassium malate, while supplements are often potassium chloride. The citrate and malate forms help produce alkali, which may promote bone health44 and preserve lean muscle mass as you age.45 Bone loss may lead to brittle bones or even osteoporosis. While potassium in fruits and vegetables may help build bone health, potassium chloride may not. As researcher Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes from Tufts University explains:46 "If you don't have adequate alkali to balance the acid load from the grains and protein in a typical American diet, you lose calcium in the urine and you have bone loss … When the body has more acid than it is easily able to excrete, bone cells get a signal that the body needs to neutralize the acid with alkali … And bone is a big alkali reservoir, so the body breaks down some bone to add alkali to the system." Research by Dawson-Hughes found that people who were in the neutral range for net acid excretion, meaning they had a fairly healthy balance for bone and muscle health, were eating just over eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day along with 5.5 servings of grains. When they rounded this out, it came to about half as many grains as fruits and vegetables. For many Americans, a simple recommendation to increase your alkali (and potassium) while reducing acid is to eat more vegetables and fewer grains and processed foods in general.47 When cooking from scratch, you have complete control over how much salt you add. In addition to that, when you do use salt, make sure its unrefined and minimally processed. My personal favorite is Himalayan pink salt, rich in naturally-occurring trace minerals needed for healthy bones, fluid balance and overall health. To learn more about the importance of unprocessed salt in your diet, see the related articles listed.